Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

Key Identification Features

Description

Japanese barberry is a common invasive in New York state. They are abundant on our forest floors, often forming dense thickets. This invasive is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 8 feet tall. The stems are long and grooved, with thorns present at the nodes either in pairs or individually. The leaves are irregularly arranged along the stem, forming ovate shapes starting thin towards the stem and opening up into a very circular looking leaf. These leaves are 0.5 to 1.5 inches in length. White flower clusters form in April and May, followed by small, red, oblong berries in september.

Native Range

Japanese Barberry is native to Asia and was introduced to the U.S. in the 1870’s for landscaping purposes. It was a sought after hedgerow shrub because of the deep red berries and red fall foliage. People also like planting this shrub because it is resistant to deer browsing.

Habitat and Dispersion

Like most invasives, Barberry is tolerant of a wide range of conditions. It is drought resistant and can become established in full sun or full shade. It is common for these shrubs to cover forest floors, but they are happy to exist in open, disturbed habitats as well. Many seeds are produced that are frequently transported by wildlife via consumption and excretion in distant locations.

Best Management Practices

Managing invasives, such as Barberry, starts with choosing better landscaping options. It is imperative to plant native shrubs and plants to prevent invasive establishment in natural areas. Once it is already established, luckily, Barberry can be managed through manual management practices. The roots are shallow enough to dig up without much difficulty, but it is important to get all the root mass, so that the population may not pop back up. The plant remains must also be disposed of properly- through burning, or desiccation in the direct sun.

Additional Resources